We are lucky to call this Shetland village home.
Only 20 minutes drive from Lerwick, the islands' capital, Hoswick is a peaceful village. Houses, workshops and business premises are arranged around a central street just above the small beach (mostly pebble, but sand is revealed depending on weather and tides).
We have beautiful views south, towards Levenwick and the sea.
Join us for an amble around Hoswick...
Approaching from Sandwick, the road sweeps round and the village is laid out before you.
On the way into Hoswick, at Stove, there are great examples of the 'flaggy' sandstone found in the South Mainland. In this part of Shetland, you'll notice it in use as a building material.
Interesting, vernacular buildings are all around Hoswick – it's worth stopping awhile to wander.
Shetland is a UNESCO Global Geopark.
Stone-spotters can also discover a fossilised sea (or loch) bed. Ripple marks are visible on rocks just to the south east of Hoswick's pebbly beach.
We often see connections between our knitwear and the pattern and colour found in our local environment.
Byre wrap
Even where the original design doesn't have its roots in this landscape, this landscape seeps in.
In the Nielanell studio: a new Marlet long jumper in gold green & algae.
We are constantly adding newly finished knitwear to our displays. Colour and pattern are everywhere!
At an important staff meeting on Tuesday, Ruth demonstrated our 'More is More' approach to pattern...
Along with her Nielanell Marlet twist, Ruth is wearing a dress/nightshirt by Irregular Sleep Pattern – a small Glasgow label.
All the signs of the season are here. Including Cecil out with his mower!
Just a few doors along from us, at Shetland Woollen Co, there is knitwear in some beautiful spring colours.
Photograph: Shetland Woollen Co / Kirstie Clubb.
Perhaps a chunky lupetto jumper in Shetland wool doesn't count as springwear where you are, but it certainly does here!
There are some good Shaetlan words on the shopfront at Shetland Woollen Co. These are items knitted inside.
See if you know them all?
Visit
Open Monday to Saturday (summer).
Full hours at Shetland Woolen Co's website.
Down the track beside the Woollen Co, you'll find the Hoswick Burn.
We often see trout in here.
The burn meanders before flowing across the beach and into the sea. This week, there have been some remarkably still days and evenings (the photo above was taken on Tuesday at around 6pm).
Back up the track a little bit is Karlin Anderson Jewellery Design. Karlin and her team make fine jewellery here, by hand.
Just look at the view.
Photograph: Karlin Anderson.
This lovely photo of Karlin shows just a few examples of her work, which is worn by clients all over the world.
Visitors can browse ready-to-wear collections or order a bespoke piece.
Visit
Open Monday to Saturday (summer).
Full hours at Karlin's website.
Pop into Hoswick Visitor Centre and Café and you might find a well-dressed tour guide on a break!
John Odie is always wearing beautiful knitwear, which is often made by his wife, Julia.
John's hat is Shetland Wool Week's 2025 pattern, the Aal Ower Toorie. His slipover is inspired by this design.
Along with local history exhibitions and a craft shop there are views from here, too.
Visit
Open Monday to Satuday.
Full hours at Hoswick Visitor Centre's website.
NB The café at Hoswick Visitor Centre does get busy. It's a good idea to ring ahead (especially between April and October).
For illustrated maps of the village, which include some short walks and trails, download the Hoswick leaflet.
Gilly B, who illustrated the leaflet, works from her studio approximately 800 metres from us – in the neighbouring village of Sandwick.
Gilly applies her illustrations to lampshades, mugs and cards. She has artwork for sale, too. And she also collaborates with Sew Far North to make bags from repurposed materials including recycled sail cloth.
A Gilly B lampshade.
Visit
Gilly doesn't keep standard opening times, but you can make an appointment to visit her studio. Her work is also stocked at Hoswick Visitor Centre.
Further information about visiting Hoswick
For more details of our neighbours in Hoswick, how to get here and accessibility visit our Things to do in Hoswick page.
Last year, Promote Shetland published a story about the enterprising community based here in the village. The article gives an interesting peek into working and running a business in rural Shetland.
